Srinagar, Apr 04: In preparation for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg , today chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements for the smooth departure of pilgrims.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners from across Jammu & Kashmir and Kargil, besides departments including Airport Authority, Emigration, Customs, Tourism, Public Works (R&B), PHE, KPDCL, Health, Transport, Traffic, Police, CISF, J&K Bank, and other concerned agencies.

Hajj flights are scheduled to operate from April 18 to April 28, 2026. This year, a total of 4,706 pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir will undertake the sacred journey of Hajj.

Emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts, the Divisional Commissioner directed all departments to ensure comprehensive preparations for the pilgrimage. He instructed Deputy Commissioners  to oversee arrangements and facilitate pilgrims effectively.

Special attention was given to ensuring the availability of essential services at the Hajj House, including uninterrupted electricity and water supply, sanitation, and healthcare facilities.

The Divisional Commissioner further instructed J&K Bank to maintain adequate availability of foreign exchange in lower denominations to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims. He also called for proper boarding and lodging arrangements for pilgrims arriving from Jammu and Ladakh.

To ensure seamless travel, Customs and Emigration authorities were asked to establish special facilitation counters at the airport for quick clearance.

For real-time coordination and information sharing, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Hajj Officer to create a dedicated WhatsApp group comprising all concerned officials and Hajj aspirants.

Srinagar, Apr 04: Fresh snowfall was received in several areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir on Saturday as a strong western disturbance brought rains to the plains, bringing down the temperatures, officials said.

The snowfall also led to the closure of many important inter-district roads in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.

The Met Office warned of brief intense heavy showers in isolated parts on Saturday, which may lead to flash floods and landslides at a few vulnerable places and waterlogging in a few low-lying areas.

Sadhna Top and other higher reaches in Kupwara, Mughal Road in Shopian, Margan Top connecting Anantnag with Kishtwar, and Razdan Top, Gurez, and Tulail in Bandipora district, received fresh overnight snowfall.

The Affarwat mountain in Gulmarg tourist resort, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, and some other hilly areas of the valley also received snowfall.

The plains of the valley, including the summer capital Srinagar, received rains, they added.

The wet weather brought down the day temperature across the valley as people had to layer up to battle the fresh cold.

The snowfall and rains also led to the closure of several important routes in J-K. The Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Bandipora-Gurez road were closed for traffic due to snow accumulation, the officials said.

They said the Srinagar-Leh national highway was shut for traffic due to the accumulation of snow along the Zojila Pass.

The meteorological department said intermittent light to moderate rain or snow at many places with thunder or hailstorm and gusty winds will continue till late Saturday evening. There would be a gradual improvement in the weather from the evening, it said.

The Met Office said there is a possibility of light rain at isolated places on Sunday and Monday. From April 7 to 8, fresh spells of light to moderate rain or snow (in the higher reaches)accompanied by thunder and gusty winds are possible at many places. It added that isolated parts of J-K could witness intense heavy rain on April 7-8, warning of potential risk flashfloods and waterlogging.

Brief spells of light rain or snow (higher reaches) are also possible at scattered places from April 9-11, it said.

From April 12, the weather would remain mainly dry for a few days, it added.

Jammu, Apr 04: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed uproar on the final day of the Budget Session on Saturday, with members of the National Conference, the Congress and the PDP demanding a judicial probe into the recent Ganderbal encounter.

The army has claimed that the man killed in the encounter in Arhama forests on March 31 — identified as Ganderbal resident Rashid Ahmad Mughal — was a terrorist. However, his family alleged that he had no terror links and termed the encounter fake, while demanding the return of his body for proper burial.

As the House assembled, legislators from both treasury and opposition benches — barring the BJP — condemned the killing and demanded a statement from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on the issue.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday ordered a magisterial probe into the encounter and sought a report within seven days.

Raising the issue, NC MLA Mubarak Gul called for a strong message from the House against the killing of an “innocent” and stressed fixing accountability.

His party colleague and former Judge Hasnain Masoodi underlined that the right to a decent burial is fundamental and constitutionally recognised, and must be respected to uphold justice and transparency.

“Any restriction on this right undermines the principles of justice and democratic values,” he said, backing the family’s demand to return the body.

Mughal was buried by police in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, in line with the standard procedure followed for terrorists killed in encounters.

Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat said an administrative inquiry would not suffice in such a serious matter, asserting that only a judicial probe could ensure fairness and credibility.

“Inquiries at the administrative level tend to balance competing interests, which can affect accountability. What is required in such grave matters is a judicial inquiry,” he said, calling for transparency and timely justice.

National Conference MLA Mir Saifullah termed the incident “deeply concerning” and said the demand for a judicial inquiry to identify and hold those responsible accountable must be supported.

Irfan Hafiz Lone of Congress, who also staged a protest on the issue before entering the House, held a placard demanding that the family of the deceased be heard and justice be ensured. He also demanded a result-oriented inquiry to bring out the truth.

BJP’s R S Pathania questioned the discussion of a law-and-order issue in the House, saying his own questions had been rejected earlier on similar grounds.

Responding to the concerns, the Speaker informed the House that a time-bound inquiry has already been ordered by the Lieutenant Governor into the matter.

Bandipora, Apr 04: Authorities rescued 38 stranded vehicles during a night-long operation on the Bandipora–Gurez road in north Kashmir, which remains closed following heavy snowfall, officials said on Saturday.

An official said that the operation was carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after multiple vehicles were trapped near Razdan Pass due to fresh accumulation of snow, they said.

The stranded passengers were shifted to safer locations, while efforts were underway to clear the road stretch, officials added.

Gurez valley has witnessed fresh snowfall over the past few days, prompting the administration to issue an alert and restrict movement on the 85-km-long road as a precautionary measure.

The Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall and snowfall in the region over the next 24 hours, officials said. (KNO).

Bandipora, Apr 04: The Bandipora–Gurez road in north Kashmir was closed on Saturday due to heavy snowfall, with authorities rescuing over 38 stranded vehicles, officials said.

They said the operation was carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) after multiple vehicles were trapped along Razdan Pass following fresh snow accumulation.

An official said that stranded passengers were shifted to safer locations while efforts continued to clear the road stretch.

Gurez valley has received fresh snowfall over the past few days, prompting the administration to issue alerts and restrict movement on the 85-km-long road as a precautionary measure.

The Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall and snowfall in the region over the next 24 hours, raising the possibility of further disruptions, officials said.—(KNO)